Today National Cattlemen's Beef Association Chief Environmental Counsel Scott Yager issued the following statement in response to the South Carolina District Court injunction of the Waters of the United States Applicability Date Rule:

"Today's ruling underscores the urgent need to finalize the repeal of the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The South Carolina court has effectively brought WOTUS back from the dead in 26 states, creating a zombie version of the 2015 rule that threatens the rights of farmers and ranchers across the country. NCBA will continue to fight in the courts and in Congress to kill the 2015 WOTUS rule once and for all."

Background

Today a Federal District Court in South Carolina granted a motion from environmental groups that brings the 2015 WOTUS rule into effect in 26 states. Previously the EPA's WOTUS Applicability Date Rule prevented the 2015 WOTUS rule from going to effect until February 6, 2020. The remaining 24 states are protected by other federal court injunctions against the 2015 Rule (one in North Dakota that covers 13 states, and one in Georgia that covers 11 states).